I've asked myself that question too. So Eric, in my humble point
of view, to achieve enlightenment, one will have to:
1) To see and understand one's own sufferings.
2) In relation to one's sufferings, one must also know what the
Four Noble Truths are.
3) From here on, choose the one Dharma door that is situable for
your learning in the Dharma.
4) Find a good advisor/guru and rely on him in the teachings of the
Buddha.
5) Take refuge in the Triple Gems.
6) On the daily basis, practise the 10 virtues and avoid the 10
non-virtues. Do confession of sins and purification. Taking refuge
of the Triple Gem can be done daily too.
7) Meditation can be done for gaining insights into topics such as
impermanence.
The above are just few of the many methods (84000 Dharma doors) in
cultivation. The most important aspect of Buddhism is to recognise
one own suffering, believing in Karma and rebirth in the samsaric
world.
Depends on what kind of enlightenment you are looking for, the
Buddha took 3 great aeons to achieve Perfect Enlightenment, so it
is still not too late to start now as we all have been in the six
destinies for countless aeons since beginningless time.
Cherrio
